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Mission Yearbook
Today marks three years since the first of two powerful earthquakes rocked the country of Nepal, leaving thousands dead or homeless and millions in need of humanitarian assistance. Recently, Luke Asikoye, international associate with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), traveled to the country to assess recovery efforts and talk with survivors.
The men were taken first, then the women and children were brutalized. Witnesses saw the Euphrates run with blood, and women plunged into the river to escape the terrors of the desert march. Armenian villages throughout the Ottoman territories of 1915 were emptied out in a systematic campaign to demean and destroy innocent victims. Although modern-day Turkey denies this genocide, historians have gathered undisputable evidence of at least a million Armenians killed and a million more dispersed from their ancient homeland.
The questions come in the darkness, usually around 3 a.m.
“What will my children’s lives be like without me?” wonders Farm Church co-founder Ben Johnston-Krase.
Everyone, regardless of race or background, should be able to eat healthily.
That’s a guiding philosophy of Soul Fire Farm, a farm in New York state with a goal to feed people living in “food apartheid” neighborhoods, a term used to describe areas with little or no access to fresh, healthy food. The Presbyterian Hunger Program was one of the first supporters of the farm, which was started in 2011.
“We grow our food and get it to those who need it most through a weekly doorstep delivery of vegetables and eggs. It goes to people who live in neighborhoods with no access to fresh, healthy food,” said Leah Penniman, co-founder and co-director of the farm. “People pay for food on a sliding scale, depending on their income. We work with many refugee families who receive a fully subsidized food share.”
As I travel around the world and visit farmers and other agricultural partners, my appreciation of farmers and respect for them grows ever stronger. Every day I learn more about what farming represents, not only for farmers but also for all of us as consumers. We depend daily on farmers and farms yet often do not get glimpses of their daily realities or struggles. Many farmers find themselves living in poverty and being affected by hunger. In 2015, three United Nations agencies reported that most of the 795 million people worldwide who don’t get enough to eat are in fact farmers.
The West End Belt-Line Farmers Market is a project by the Georgia Women in Agriculture, an Atlanta based cooperative owned network of local growers and support staff farmers. In addition to providing locally grown produce, The Georgia Women in Agriculture help facilitate an environment where community members can learn agricultural skills, food security, food production and sustainability. With a $15,000.00 grant from the National Self Development of People Committee, the group was able to create the WEB public farmers market which promotes community and capacity building as well as provide greater community access to locally grown fresh food.
Earth Care Congregation Certification is one of the many ways that the Presbyterian Hunger Program seeks to be faithful to our responsibility to care for creation. The goal of the ECC program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all of church life.
“Kingdom Building for the 21st Century” is the theme of Bible studies planned for commissioners to the 223rd General Assembly (2018) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), meeting June 16–23 in St. Louis.
More than 1,000 young people from around the world recently gathered at the United Nations to attend the 2018 Winter Youth Assembly. Simon Doong, a Young Adult Volunteer with the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, was among the attendees.
Dr. Jonathan L. Walton, Harvard University Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and the Pusey Minister at the Memorial Church of Harvard University, wrapped up this year’s NEXT Church gathering with a talk titled “Be Suspicious of Praise!” His keynote presentation gave voice and encouragement to bold and prophetic ministry.
